Allied health careers are made up of the professions that function in support of medical personnel, primarily physicians. Examples of allied health professions include physician assistants, surgical technologists, or EMT-paramedics, amongst others. College and high school graduates should be concerned about what impact accreditation of specialized programs in allied health education has on their educational preparation.

In order to understand what an accredited program is, you understand what accreditation is. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) says:

"Accreditation in higher education is a collegial process based on self- and peer- assessment for improvement of academic quality and public accountability."

Although the process is continuous, there is usually a review of each program or institution that occurs every five to ten years. This includes preparation of a self-study by a team of peers, and finally a judgement by an accrediting agency, based on a predetermined set of standards. That judgement includes not only decisions on compliance or non-compliance to the defined set of standards, but recommendations for improving the program.

Why is this process important?

As American higher education has evolved, it has emerged as a diverse, competitive, decentralized educational system with rather high autonomy. Accreditation allows for this diversity and autonomy, while at the same time assuring quality through the peer review process. A basic philosophical base for accreditation in any field of study is the nurturing of quality education in an effort to serve the public interest.

What are the benefits of accreditation to the profession?

Accredited programs provide a supply of qualified professionals. Since accreditation is based on a set of 'standards', employers and professionals in the field are assured that a student graduating from an accredited educational program has a basic knowledge base that provides them with the skills to function as an entry-level professional within the given profession.

What are the benefits of accreditation to the public?

Similarly, the public can be assured that a graduate from an accredited program has been trained to perform the tasks necessary for an allied health profession. Accreditation provides accountability to the public sector, as one can assume that an accredited program produces students who are qualified to perform as safe and knowledgeable professionals in the field.

What are the benefits of accreditation to the student entering or graduating from an accredited allied health education program?

They are also assured to learn the knowledge and skills necessary to become a quality professional. Schools that meet accreditation standards are held to a higher measure than those not accredited.

Accreditation respects the core value of institutional autonomy while assuring academic quality. It is an expense to the institution and the profession that both voluntarily choose to accept. Although accreditation has been criticized in recent years, it continues to be the primary mechanism through which institutions, professions, government regulatory agencies, students and the public are assured quality of both educational programs and the professionals that these programs produce.

 

Author:
Larry J Leverenz, PhD
President, Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Clinical Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN